Old Navy coming to Erskine Village?

November 27, 2005|HEIDI PRESCOTT Tribune Columnist

We found more evidence of an Old Navy store planned for South Bend's Erskine Village. Construction plans released more than a week ago by the office of the Indiana building commissioner indicate that a 16,986-square-foot Old Navy will be constructed at 1290 E. Ireland Road. Back in July 2004, we obtained preliminary plans that identified retailers for the new retail center that included an Old Navy store. Because all of the other stores on that plan -- Kohl's, DSW shoe discounter, Bed, Bath & Beyond -- have come to fruition, there is every reason to think this really will happen. And Old Navy's interest in the south side goes back even further. It held conversations with Scottsdale Mall managers about a possible mall store -- before things got really bad. The chain, a division of Gap Inc., opened its first area Old Navy in late 1997 at Princess City Plaza in Mishawaka. Another Old Navy, which carries casual style clothing and accessories, opened in 2002 at Fairplain Plaza on Mall Drive in Benton Harbor. Lighthouse Place outlet center in Michigan City also has an Old Navy Outlet store. Erskine Village developer Schottenstein Management Co. in Columbus, Ohio, and Old Navy public relations did not return phone calls about the new store last week. Our best bet is Old Navy is going in the odd empty slot in the strip center at the back of Erskine Village. That is what the original plans showed. South-siders should have fun shopping this holiday season, now that South Bend is home to a Kohl's, DSW Shoe Warehouse and Target, as well as a number of smaller stores and restaurants. The post-holiday season has a promising outlook, too. Petsmart also was listed on the original drawings, and its store is set to open on Jan. 16. A grand opening will be held a few days later, says Shana Costarella, spokeswoman for the chain of pet stores. Its 20,463-square-foot store will employ around 30 to 40 people. Another construction report also shows Hair Cuttery plans to locate at Erskine Village. Granger Goodwill opening Goodwill wanted to be open in Granger last month. But the construction project ended up being about a month behind. "We were shooting for Oct. 1," says Dennis Freeland, executive vice president, Goodwill Industries of Michiana. But the company ran up against some issues. "And a steel shortage," says Freeland. Goodwill plans to celebrate the opening of its new Granger store on Thursday. A ribbon cutting is slated for 8:30 a.m., followed by its opening at 9 at 13000 Indiana 23. The store is located just west of Adams Road near the Martin's Super Market-anchored retail center. Have you heard? Rathskeller Pizza is opening soon at 401 N. Hickory Road, South Bend ... State Cafe has closed its restaurant at 415 N. Hickory Road, South Bend ... A building addition is planned at the Down to Earth plaza at 14678 Indiana 23 in Granger.